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Zagreb - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković told the newly-elected MPs at the Sabor's inaugural session on Thursday that this is not the time for cheap political exhibitionism but for quality political discussion and the passing of laws for the benefit of citizens.
"We need to focus on our primary parliamentary task, which is work for the common good. Together we must ensure the atmosphere for quality political discussion and the passing of optimal laws for the benefit of our citizens," Jandroković said after being appointed Speaker of Parliament for the third time.
"One extraordinary event can disrupt everything that we have worked hard to build for years, and that's why it is important that we never take everything that has been achieved so far for granted," he added, underscoring that this is not the time for questioning the foundations of the constitutional and legal order.
He emphasised that concern for the public good must be at the centre of all political contests, that everyone in politics can articulate their political ideas in their own way, but one should be aware that the chosen political style always has its consequences.
"It is my deep conviction that, in contrast to populism and extremism that are gaining ground globally, Croatia needs politicians who are ready to compete fairly with ideas and concrete proposals, people who must be focused on the betterment of the community they live in, and not on destruction and criticism, which is too often an end in itself," he said.
He warned that we are living in very dangerous times when war is raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and when our immediate neighbourhood is also a potential source of instability.
Jandroković also cited the challenges of climate change, energy and food insecurity, and disruptions to global supply chains.
"At the same time, we are seeing the rise of populism, radical and extremist policies that are eroding our democracies from the inside," he added.
"Yesterday's shocking assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico clearly shows how sometimes little separates us from verbal to physical or armed violence," Jandroković said, strongly condemning that heinous act and wishing Fico a speedy recovery.
He also warned of threats to institutions in democratic European countries from cyber attacks, potential misuse and negative consequences of the accelerated development of artificial intelligence, and the challenges of illegal migration.
Croatia is a stable, safe and prosperous country
"Despite everything that I have just stated, it is an unquestionable fact that Croatia is a stable, safe and prosperous country," the Parliament Speaker said, citing the strategic goals that Croatia has achieved, including the Pelješac Bridge, the LNG terminal, the entry into the euro area and the Schengen area, and the strengthening of defence capacity by purchasing Rafale fighter jets.
He also mentioned the continuous growth of GDP, the historically highest level of employment, wage growth and the credit rating upgrade.
"Without a doubt, Croatia is making steady and visible progress. It is tendentious not to notice it," he noted.
"But this does not mean that we are satisfied with what has been achieved," Jandroković said and added that he expects further steps from the new government to strength national security and the country's international position, join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and boost living standards and social protection.
He also expects progress in the reform of the judicial and healthcare systems and in combating corruption, as well as further "protection and promotion of traditional Croatian Christian and family values, the identity of the Croatian people, our language, traditions and cultural heritage."
Strengthening ties with the Croatian diaspora
Jandroković emphasised the importance of strengthening ties with the Croatian diaspora, advocating the constitutionality and equality of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, protecting the rights of Croats in countries where they are a national minority, and implementing demographic measures to reverse existing negative trends.
He also highlighted the importance of the personal responsibility of politicians as a precondition without which one should not engage in politics, mutual respect regardless of differences, competing with arguments, prudence, calmness and responsibility.
He said it was a great honour for him to receive the trust of the MPs for the third time as Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, and that he would try to be fair and collegial, respect everyone who respected him, and build the Croatian Parliament as an area of cooperation, not conflict and polarisation.
He thanked his colleagues from the HDZ and the coalition partners who nominated him, as well as everyone who elected him, and wished them a successful parliamentary term "to justify the trust we have received from our citizens through quality and dedicated work."
"And that trust is crucial. Because none of us came here by chance," Jandroković pointed out, stating that the present Parliament reflects the will of as many as 2.14 million or 61.48% of Croatian citizens with the right to vote.
"They have sent an unequivocal message about the make-up of the Croatian Parliament they want. Our legitimacy, the legitimacy of all of us sitting here, is therefore indisputable," the Parliament Speaker said.